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A Look At The Jersey City Nutcracker

originally published: 11/26/2014
Drawing on Nimbus Dance Works' strong local ties and the company's mission to integrate top-caliber dance directly into the community, Nimbus' Jersey City Nutcracker utilizes a cast comprised of top professional dancers as well as members of the community, including youth from Nimbus' programs in Newark and in the Jersey City Public Schools, as it is performed each year in Jersey City and Newark. First selections were performed in 2010, and the complete production will be unveiled over a period of three years. Jersey City Nutcracker has been created by a collaborative team including Samuel Pott (choreographer, Artistic Director, Nimbus Dance Works), Alysia Souder (librettist/playwright), Irene Borngraeber (scenic designer), and Jennifer Bentley (costume designer). Though containing elements of the original E.T.A Hoffman folktale and set to Tchaikovsky's renowned orchestral score, Nimbus' Jersey City Nutcracker presents an adapted narrative set in a contemporary urban environment.

Running parallel to the storyline, to the artistic quality, and to the design of Jersey City Nutcracker are the cast and crew of community members who come together to present this production. Envisioned as a vehicle for bringing people together from all ages, and all strata of the Jersey City and Newark communities, Nimbus' Jersey City Nutcracker provides educational opportunities for aspiring dancers, community service opportunities to adults looking to volunteer, and community involvement opportunities for those looking to get involved with local cultural life.

Performances will be held December 19-21 at Frank R. Conwell Middle School #4 Auditorium (107 Bright Street) in Jersey City. For more information visit http://nimbusdanceworks.org.
Jersey City, NJ


Photo by PeiJu Chien-Pott



New Jersey Stage spoke with Samuel Pott, Artistic Director of Nimbus Dance Works about their version of The Nutcracker story.

Tell me about Jersey City Nutcracker? The performance has been adapted and set in a contemporary urban environment right? Has the story been changed much?
We wrote our own libretto which sets the story in current-day Jersey City. In our story, there are two lead youth roles - Maria and Christopher, rather than just a lead girl - one from a wealthy and one from a poor background. The story follows these two kids through a city adventure - running through city streets, dancing with found items such as a shopping cart, truck tire, construction debris. The kids encounter bullies who later transform into rats. B-boys/b-girls take the place of toy soldiers. Ultimately, the Rat King unveils a secret entrance to a glimmering vision of what their city could become through a manhole cover. Maria and Christopher meet dancers from all over the world and the Sugar Plum fairy, but decide they must return to their own city to share all that they have learned.

Our intention was to create a story that would resonat with contemporary urban audiences that retained that magic and adventure that people love about Nutcracker.



 
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Was part of the idea behind adapting this to find a way to make the Nutcracker more accessible to new audiences?
Absolutely. Where the traditional Nutcracker follows an aristocratic European family - we felt that presenting the story in a current-day setting allows a larger range of audience members to relate.

Does Jersey City Nutcracker have a local flavor to it? Dancers from the local area?
Yes - the company roles are performed by professional dancers from Nimbus Dance Works who are known not only as exceptional dance artists - but also as teachers at Nimbus' school and at our programs in 11 different local schools.

What is it about The Nutcracker that makes it such a holiday tradition for so many people?
People love the tradition of it - the magic, the fun of toys that come alive, and the holiday spirit. The cast of Jersey City Nutcracker includes almost 100 youth performers. For these youth and their families, Nutcracker represents a great community event and exciting challenge that builds friendships and brings families and the community together.

Finally, what do you personally like best about The Nutcracker story?
It is amazing to see youth of all backgrounds, professional dancers, parents, and audiences from all over Jersey City come together in the spirit of unity and community - just very inspiring. New friendships develop; challenges are overcome; and a real sense of teamwork towards common goals is present.


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